While we got the brutal news yesterday that Paul Kariya won’t be playing this season thanks to the after-effects of post-concussion syndrome, another player continues his struggles with concussions but looks to get back on the ice sooner than not. Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been out of action essentially since the 2008-2009 season. He played opening night last year but his season was over after that thanks to the doctors discovering that nagging flu-like symptoms he dealt with during training camp were effects of post-concussion syndrome stemming from the hit he took in a game on March 25, 2009 against the Islanders.

But as the upcoming season fast approaches, Bouchard, a gifted playmaker, has returned to his canvas. Take Friday, for example, where Bouchard, as upbeat as he’s sounded in months, said by phone from Montreal, “I’m heading to the rink.”

Bouchard wasn’t heading to the rink for treatment or a little bike ride or a light skate, which he began doing again three weeks ago. He was heading to a rink to strap on his full gear, take part in 30 to 45 minutes of drills and then part of a scrimmage with fellow NHLers.

“There’s a little rust, but the first time I went back on the ice with my father [Denis], I was surprised and pretty happy. I still can do tape-to-tape passes and make some good shots and some quick turns,” Bouchard said. “I said, ‘Wow, that’s not too bad.’ The skills should come back quick.

“I still have symptoms here and there, some pressure in the head, but it’s not too bad. I’m trying to pace myself on the ice and in the gym, but my goal is to be ready for training camp [Sept. 17].”

Consider this: Bouchard, while he was healthy, was one of the Wild’s top point producing forwards. While Bouchard was entering into the beginning of the prime of his career, he was a steady 55-60 point player. While he missed 11 games in 2008-2009, he finished that year with 16 goals and 30 assists. If the Wild can have Bouchard come back and produce at that kind of level again, that would make him one of the top five scorers on the team easily and help give the Wild an offensive lift they could desperately use.

Bouchard would also give the Wild a definitive offensive-styled second line center or wing. Right now, newly-acquired Matt Cullen tentatively slots out as the second line center which is all well and good, but he works better as a two-way guy and not straight offense. With the emergence of Guillaume Latendresse as a goal scorer and with Martin Havlat and Andrew Brunette as well as captain Mikko Koivu, the Wild would be thankful to make such an addition to their lineup like that to make them a deeper team. That said, concussions are a scary thing and the science in studying and treating them is still evolving. As long as Pierre-Marc Bouchard can return and be healthy, that’s what counts.